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Publisher's Summary

A 39-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, Edward Stanton lives alone on a rigid schedule in the Montana town where he grew up. His carefully constructed routine includes tracking his most common waking time (7:38 a.m.), refusing to start his therapy sessions even a minute before the appointed hour (10:00 a.m.), and watching one episode of the 1960s cop show Dragnet each night (10:00 p.m.).

But when a single mother and her nine-year-old son move in across the street, Edward’s timetable comes undone. Over the course of a momentous 600 hours, he opens up to his new neighbors and confronts old grievances with his estranged parents. Exposed to both the joys and heartaches of friendship, Edward must ultimately decide whether to embrace the world outside his door or retreat to his solitary ways.

Heartfelt and hilarious, this moving novel will appeal to fans of Daniel Keyes’ classic Flowers for Algernon and to any reader who loves an underdog.

I always fear (and sometimes avoid) stories that have disability or impairment as central to the theme because of the tendency authors have to turn every person with disability into a life affirming angel or a sex crazed villain - and not much in between.

However, knowing a little about OCD I was well prepared.

What I wasnt prepared for was how well the topic was presented and how interestingly the main character was portrayed. Edward very quickly became a person I would gladly live next door to. Craig Lancaster has written a wonderful story for his first novel. Lets hope for more.

I cannot say exactly what made this book so special. The author uses a narrative tool that has been used fairly frequently recently and uses it very well. The main character's developmental problems are often trivialized as nothing more than idiocynracies or quirks in other books. This book treats the psychological problems of Edward quite seriously. And yet he uses them to slowly let you meet then understand Edward and the people who inhabit his life, those that are real and those that live in Edward's favorite TV show.

The lessons Edward learns as he slowly and belatedly grows up, the hurts he suffers, the irrational habits he cannot help, the relationships he struggles with, the slights he feel that always result in complaint letters, all of them help you understand a very complicated man. The author understands his character and uses these tools to help you understand him as well.

The narrator does a great job, although I would swear that Sam Elliott steps in and does the voice of Edward's father.

I really recommend this book. It is complex, layered, detailed and yet really, quite simple.

I would recommend this audiobook to my friends who lilke intricate characters, a "real" story about adults trying to overcome their various difficulties in order to find a place in the world. This book reminded me of Ron McLarty's fantastic, whimsical THE MEMORY OF RUNNING, in that both books show how a lonely man grows and changes when circumstances force it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 600 Hours of Edward?

I loved 39-year-old OCD/Asbergers sufferer (that seems llke soooo not the right word) interacts with 9-year-old Kyle. I love how Kyle looks at Edward without judgment and how he teaches Edward to laugh again and that disaster will not strike if he gets out of his routine.

Have you listened to any of Luke Daniels’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

i've never heard anything else that he's done, but I think he did a nice job here. I particularly want to commend his interpretation of the female characters. So often male narrators can ruin a book by making the women sound fake, shrill and just annoying. He did a lovely job here bringing Donna to life, and illuminating her sensitivity, her frailties, her kindness.

If you could take any character from 600 Hours of Edward out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Oh, I think a dinner with Edward, Kyle, and Donna would be really fun. I'd love to see all their different personalities mix and bounce off one another. Would Edward order spaghetti, you think?

Any additional comments?

If you liked MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND or THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY, you will enjoy this short, sweet book immensely.

This was a pleasant surprise! It is a quick, well written novel of a gentleman with Asperger's syndrome. You get to peek into his life for a mere 25 days, but Edward's evolution throughout is satisfying. I enjoyed the story--it progressed well, with a few twists along the way!

The narrator is perfect for this story--at times, I really thought he was Edward! This book is quirky, tender, sad, and laugh-out-loud funny--I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to others.

**and I've already set up my "complaint" file--it seems like the perfect stress therapy to me!!**

This is a great book and the narration is excellent. I loved how I felt so involved in Edward's daily life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 600 Hours of Edward?

When Edward meets Kyle for the first time.

Which character – as performed by Luke Daniels – was your favorite?

Kyle..Luke Daniels portrayed the boy so well. He is a character who features infrequently but plays a pivotal role in Edward's life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At times, I found myself laughing out loud. (Though the basis of the story is no laughing matter.) At other times, I cried with Edward as he faced the challenges of everyday life and relationships.

Any additional comments?

600 Hours of Edward focuses on accomplishments. It is a heartwarming story that shows us what we can achieve if we take one step at a time. It clearly demonstrates what the human spirit is capable of if one is determined enough. The narrator is superb. If you love an underdog, this book will appeal to you. Give it a try.

Would you consider the audio edition of 600 Hours of Edward to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version but the narration brought Edward to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 600 Hours of Edward?

I thoroughly enjoyed Edwards letters of complaint and how they evolved toward the end. I also enjoyed the evolution of his relationships. There were far too many memorable moments throughout this book to highlight any one in particular.

What does Luke Daniels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Of all the narrations of all the audiobooks I have ever listened to, Luke Daniels surpassed them all! I feel the narration was critical to this story in particular to capture the many quirks and eccentricities of Edward. Luke Daniels nailed Edwards character in addition to the other characters of this book. He did an extraordinary job, even down to the slightest fluctuations of voice such as Edward remarking on words that he loved, which were expressed with pure delight. You could feel every one of Edwards highs and lows throughout the book. I enjoyed every second of it!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The letter from his father!

Any additional comments?

This is the type of book that comes around once every ten years. It is masterfully written. It is technical and creative writing at it's very best. Although the ending was superb, I grieved when it was over as I never wanted it to end. There was so much depth and humanity to the characters of this book and I genuinely cared about every one of them. I especially adored Edward. I wish I could be his neighbor and friend.

I was looking for a recommendation for a book similar to the "Rosie Project" (i.e., an author who could deal with a difficult subject in a humorous, but still realistic manner).

This book was very different, but equally as good for different reasons. Craig Lancaster does a good job dealing with the full range of issues that all of us have faced at some time or other while still making us laugh.

I would highly recommend this..I don't think you would be disappointed.

This was such an unexpected treat. Touching. Funny. Real. And ultimately uplifting.

The narration is also perfect. In fact, I went in search of more books read by this author and found, to my extreme surprise, that there was a sequel. Of course I downloaded it, knowing that it could never match "600 Hours," but I was simply glad not to have to let go of Edward just yet.

When we meet Edward, at 39 years of age (well, 39 years and (about) 280 days) at the beginning of the novel, we see that his routines have paved the way to a life that is filled with routine, devoid of challenges, but ultimately isolating. He has no friends, and has a particularly strained relationship with his father, a wealthy local politician who pays all of Edward’s living expenses but keeps him at a distance, physically and emotionally, unable to come to terms with his illnesses. However, during the 600 hours - 25 days (count them – I did) I spent with him, Edward is shaken out of his routines by events, both happy and poignant, that force him to re-examine his carefully-controlled life. He tries online dating; he begins interacting with his new neighbors, a single mother, Donna, and her 9-year-old son, Kyle. Ever so slowly, Edward starts to connect with other people. Not every interaction goes smoothly – online dating is different from ‘more traditional’ dating - but over the course of the 600 hours, we start to see a transformation (I love the word ‘transformation’) in Edward. His relationship with the Donna and Kyle shows signs of developing into a meaningful friendship. The nightly letters of complaint (none of which, on the advice of his therapist, are ever sent,) start to become more reflections than complaints. And all the while, Edward slowly, on his own terms, makes his way into a society that he has avoided for so long.Craig Lancaster builds Edward’s character through spare, straightforward prose that keeps the story well-paced and readable, and adds just the right amount of emotion, so that by the end, we are rooting for Edward and the remarkable 600-hour journey he has made, and that we seem to have made with him. The narration in this wonderful tale is magnificently done, with the voice of Edward in all his moods and reflections, of the different people with whom he interacts capturing a world that is both engaging and fulfilling.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mother Bear

AMMANFORD, United Kingdom

6/16/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Exceptional!"

I have listened to this and the second book in the series - very rarely do I laugh out loud when listening to a book - I literally laughed until tears appeared! A wonderful story - well written but I am sure the narration added something more to the books - I am in love with Luke Daniels!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mr B

5/18/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Brilliant"

A friend suggested this book to me. I'm glad they did. Moving. Insightful and inventive. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

S. Rifflart

Hampshire

8/6/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Funny, sad and brilliant"

Edward has a struck regime which keeps him sane but ultimately he is alone and unhappy600 hours later he has hope and a future unlike anything he expectedIoved this book so full of humour and it touch my heart stringsThe narrator was perfect

If you could sum up 600 Hours of Edward in three words, what would they be?

EDWARD SUFFERS MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HAS AUTISTIC HABITS - NOT AN EXPERT BUT I UNDERSTOOD HOW HE STRUGGLED AS I HAVE DEPRESSION. THE REALATIONSHIPS HE HAS ARE WELL STRAINED AND HE FINDS A FRIEND IN AN UNEXPECTED PLACE ALSO HE STARTS TO LOOK AT HIS BEHAVIOUR MADE ME CRY AT ONE PSRT

Who was your favorite character and why?

EDWARD WELL AND DONNA MIDDLETON AS SHE SLOWLY ACCEPTED HIM EXACTLY AS HE WAS SHE OBVIOSLY GREW TO REALISE HIS PROBLEM BUT NONE THE LESS A FRIENDSHIP WAS BORN AND WITH HER SON.EDWARDS FATHER WAS SO HARSH BUT UNDERNEATH HE LOVED EDWARD

What does Luke Daniels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I LEARNED HOW IT MUST BE LIKE TO LIVE WITH THIS CONDITION THE WAYS HE HAD HABITS HE COULD NOT BREAK LIKE WATCHING 'DRAGNET' AT 10 EVERY NIGHT ANY UPSET MADE HIM VERY ADGITATED BUT HE ENDED UP LOOKING AT HIS PART IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WORRYS

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

OH YES SADLY FELL ASLEEP ONE NIGHT I HOWELD MY EYES OUT IT WAS A VERY MOVING MOMENT... BUT WILL NOT GIVE IT AWAY

Any additional comments?

THIS BOOK WAS ONE I JUST CHOSE FAST AS LATE HUSBAND NEEDED SLEEP AND SO SO GLAD I DID EDWARD WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY MEMORYVERY WELL WRITTEN

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Jonathan Hagger

11/4/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"It's A Mad World"

Mad Lit can be such a downer. Books like "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath can be brutal reads and if you are not depressed when you start them you sure will be by the final page. But this short, but perfectly formed, novel by Craig Lancaster is far from misery inducing. In fact, overall it is a happy book, full of hope. It certainly made me, a long term sufferer of mental health problems, optimistic and that is not an emotion I experience often. Edward is on the autism spectrum and is further lumbered with O.C.D. When we join him he is already a couple of years into counselling with a "very logical" female, psychologist and his condition is stable. Edward copes reasonably well with life. It is everyone else who cause the problems he keeps bumping into. From experience I can say that this is life for most of with mental health issues. For periods, sometimes long periods, of our life we cope but we are not allowed to fully realise our potential because of the prejudice of other people. "600 Hours of Edward" is the story of a turning point in one, neurologically different man's life and the good news is that he doesn't end up killing himself.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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